Stellenbosch University’s Chief Director of Innovation and Commercialisation has won an international award for building the networks that turn research into real-world impact.
The UIIN Future of Universities Summit, held on 28 and 29 October 2026, brought together university leaders, researchers and innovation professionals to discuss how universities can better serve society and the economy. Anita was one of four category winners in the Champions of University Impact awards, which drew about 100 nominations. The other categories were Entrepreneurial and Innovation Changemaker, Institutional Change Leader, and Next Generation Boundary Spanner.
The awards honour people whose leadership, creativity and persistence help universities turn ideas into lasting change.
Anita was nominated by Corina du Toit, manager of SU’s Sustainable Development Impact Hub (SDG/2063 Impact Hub). The nomination recognised some twenty years of work building an ecosystem that supports researchers and entrepreneurs from discovery through to commercialisation and business growth.
It highlighted several initiatives that will be familiar to anyone following Stellenbosch’s innovation scene:
- SU LaunchLab, the university’s business incubator
- LaunchLab CERIBIO, the biotechnology facilities
- The University Technology Fund, which provides investment
- The Stellenbosch Network, which connects partners
Together, these link support, infrastructure, investment and partnerships so that university innovations can reach the market.
Du Toit’s nomination singled out Anita’s commitment to enabling others to succeed. Rather than building programmes around herself, she has built institutions and networks that keep creating opportunities long after any one project ends.
Accepting the award, Anita said that “innovation does not happen in isolation.” She explained that it takes an ecosystem of people, partnerships, infrastructure and investment to turn good ideas into opportunities. She said the award was especially meaningful because it recognises the value of building that ecosystem, rather than any single innovation or achievement. She added that she is proud of what has been built together at SU and excited about the opportunities it will continue to create.
The Lisbon award comes after another big moment this year. In March, Anita won the Innovation Catalyst Award at the 2026 Forbes Woman Africa Awards, held at the Sandton Convention Centre, which recognised her work in creating scalable ventures in Africa.
The numbers behind the recognition are striking: SU now has 44 spinouts that have turned university expertise into businesses that create jobs and benefit society.
Taken together, the two awards reflect two sides of Anita’s work. One is helping new ventures grow, and the other is building the support structures and partnerships they need to succeed.